As a seasoned cinephile who’s had the pleasure of traversing through the labyrinth of global cinema, Pedro Almodovar’s journey is undoubtedly one that resonates deeply with my own passion for film. His heartfelt words at the San Sebastian Film Festival echo the sentiments I’ve experienced when revisiting the locations where some of my most cherished cinematic memories were born.
After clinching the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival with his first English production titled “The Room Next Door”, Spanish filmmaker Pedro Almodovar made a move towards a festival dear to him, San Sebastian, to commemorate both the success of his movie and his acquisition of the Donostia Award, a prestigious accolade for career accomplishments.
At a press conference held on Thursday, Almodovar expressed that his debut feature “Pepi, Luci, Bon” initially screened at San Sebastián in 1980. He added that ever since he attended the festival on Wednesday, which also marked his 74th birthday, he has been struck by a “tremendous wave of emotion” as he looked back on four decades of filmmaking and the significant role the festival played in his professional journey.
He stated, ‘My eyes were constantly filled with tears, and they kept streaming down my face.’ He found the situation to be far more emotionally intense than anticipated – almost overwhelmingly so.
I personally found the movie “Pepi, Luci, Bon” to be quite flawed. However, it served as a groundbreaking start for me in my filmmaking journey, leading to a career spanning over two decades and more than two dozen films.
Upon reaching the hotel yesterday, it struck me that a lot has transformed over the past 44 years, not just globally, but personally too. Yet, this city still stirs strong feelings within me, as it did 44 years ago.
Almodovar stated that a journalist recently asked him if he had ever doubted his talent throughout the years. However, he mentioned that he has never pondered over his talent. Instead, he considered his vocation as something stronger than himself. If he couldn’t create films, he admitted he would be the most miserable being in the entire universe.
Throughout his career, Almodovar, who has garnered numerous Oscars, BAFTAs, and international awards, stated that each of his projects is unique but all are part of his personal collection. He expressed this as a privilege not every director can claim. Furthermore, he and his brother Agustín Almodóvar, co-founder of the production company El Des, have always strived for autonomy, independence, and ownership over their work.
At the press conference, Almodovar was certainly the main focus of attention, but Tilda Swinton, who starred in “The Room Next Door” directed by him, was also present. She was given a chance to discuss her collaborations with the director across two films, which she expressed great joy about.
She expressed, “I’m right here next to him, reflecting on how incredibly fortunate I am to have met him. Although I haven’t known him as long as some others at this table or in this room, he’s already deeply woven into my life. He isn’t just significant for my daily routines, but also serves as a powerful validation of the very reasons that drove me to become a filmmaker.
Swinton referred to Almodovar as a “buccaneer,” stating that there are numerous individuals who appreciate such free-spirited figures, emphasizing that this is not about encouraging lawless behavior.
She remarked that Pedro, being a young filmmaker, pours every ounce of enthusiasm and emotion into his films, a trait that many filmmakers are advised to abandon. Instead, we, the viewers, crave this level of involvement from directors. In Pedro’s cinematic works, 23 films to date, you’ll find an unyielding youthful spirit, a fearless passion, and a deep-rooted faith in cinema as a medium for ideas. He is truly passionate about cinema, which is exactly what young audiences are looking for.
As Swinton concluded, to applause: “So Pedro forever, frankly.”
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2024-09-26 15:46